To the shock of many, Don Lemon made his return to CNN This Morning on Wednesday for the primary time since his controversial feedback about presidential hopeful Nikki Haley sparked a backlash that hasn’t solely subsided. It was initially unclear how the channel would proceed after preserving Lemon for a further two weekdays following his pre-planned break day. CNN boss Chris Licht quelled these curiosities on Tuesday through workers memo that went public later, confirming the anchor would return to his morning duties mid-week. Certain sufficient, the internet hosting establishment was in place, however tensions are reportedly nonetheless fairly excessive amongst his colleagues and executives.
Don Lemon Shared Newest Apology Forward Of Return
A bit underneath half-hour earlier than hitting the air once more alongside Poppy Harlow, Lemon took to Twitter to share blanketed appreciation for the prospect to get again to work, together with one other public apology for having labeled Nikki Haley as being past her “prime” at 51 years of age.
I admire the chance to be again on @CNNThisMorning right this moment. To my community, my colleagues and our unbelievable viewers — I’m sorry. I’ve heard you, I’m studying from you, and I’m dedicated to doing higher.See you quickly.February 22, 2023
Given the character of Twitter, the publish was met with equal waves of seemingly real empathy, overtly real snark, meanness, niceness, and occasional randomness.
Nothing Was Referenced Throughout CNN This Morning
Whereas some viewers could have anticipated Wednesday morning’s telecast to make some type of reference to Don Lemon’s absence, or his feedback that preceded his absence, nothing of the kind occurred. As a substitute, issues kicked off with him sitting astride Poppy Harlow as if nothing too dire had occurred.
Maybe the one time the place Lemon appeared to particularly have that complete ordeal on the forefront of his thoughts was throughout a phase later within the broadcast that addressed British corporations beginning to check out four-day work week. The anchor voiced his opinion that such a change wouldn’t win his favor, saying:
I like working. I like what I do.
Granted, he wasn’t holding an indication saying “Speaking to you, CNN bosses,” however the total sentiment was possible a real one all the identical, even when it’s rumored that he could be completely wonderful with parting methods with the channel ought to higher gives come from elsewhere.
Don Lemon Reportedly Has One Strike Left At CNN
Had this been Don Lemon’s very first case of questionable and anger-inducing habits, this possible wouldn’t be such a sophisticated return for the anchor. Nonetheless, his on-air feedback — after which subsequent pushback in opposition to Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins — had been solely the most recent reported cases the place his phrases and/or actions have lit others’ fuses.
Having garnered public criticisms from late night time TV and comedians, with Dave Chappelle’s Netflix particular feedback setting him off particularly, Lemon has additionally reportedly earned his fair proportion of off-camera complaints. Weeks forward of his Nikki Haley feedback, the New York Publish reported on an alleged incident in December the place Lemon is alleged to have screamed at Collins as soon as the cameras stopped rolling as a result of she interrupted him on the air, which induced her to go away the set.
It’s to the purpose, TMZ studies, that Don Lemon agreed to return to CNN This Morning with the data that he doesn’t have any leeway left with execs, and can get no future warnings. If another adverse feedback are made about or to his co-workers, or if there are complaints made about his at-work habits, he’ll allegedly be proven the door.
The truth that Don Lemon isn’t bringing the sorts of rankings and viewership numbers that CNN is in search of may be a consider his alleged quick leash on the firm. He was shifted away from primetime attributable to dipping numbers, and issues haven’t been going so properly for his morning audiences both.
